Mom’s Free Time » Four Against Two

Why Hawaii Is No Fun

Hubby, It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time, Travel 2 Responses »

Feb 212012

Hubby and I got back from our amazing week-long vacation a few days ago. It’s been a whirl wind getting back in the swing of things, I uploaded my pictures, but that is as far as I have gotten in the way of reviewing our week.

We had a great time. I don’t want to rub it in, but I highly encourage a trip to Kauai Island if you like amazing scenery that ranges from thick, jungle-like forest to white sandy beaches. Throw in a canyon that is often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific and whales and you have to call it paradise.

We stayed on the one island, Kauai, as Hubby and I like to get to know a place rather than hop around (why we don’t like to cruise) and we are rather independent with our site seeing. We like to find hole in the wall places and get the local flavor. We loved the relaxed, slow moving style of the Island. The people were very friendly, the food was great.

I will be sharing a few things in the future about our trip and you will get tired of the pictures I am sure, but for now I just wanted to get a blog post up letting you all know that we are home safe and sound and had a wonderful time.

A public thank you to my mother in law for bringing food for the kids and helping my mom out. Also to my mother for moving in and taking on the role as nurse, chauffeur, laundress and house maid. It’s lovely to have people to fall back on!

Oh yeah. The one reason I came up with for Hawaii being not fun is that you cannot play License Plate Bingo. That is the only thing I can come up with. Yes, it is just that amazing!

Movie Review: Breaking Dawn

Books I Have Read, Entertainment, Hubby, It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time 1 Response »

Nov 212011

I saw Breaking Dawn on Sunday with Hubby. Please don’t tell my friends because I went without them. If said friends are reading this I will go with you and see it again, so please don’t hate me!

Breaking Dawn is the fourth and final book in the Stephanie Myers Twilight Saga, just to bring you up to speed if you are not up on the sparkly vampire series. This book is being split into two different movies (a la Harry Potter 7) and what just came out was part one. My review is more of a book made into a movie review than a movie review, as the books are usually my first love. If you have not read the books the rest of this will have spoilers, just to warn you. If you have read the book, I won’t give away any movie secrets. Though I will tell you they threw something in the beginning that was so book one I was a bit miffed, but I think it was done for the non-readers to catch them up a bit.

The movie begins with the wedding. This wedding has to be the best movie wedding I have seen in a long time…if not ever. The wooded scene with simple white flowers, the way they said their vows like they were the only people in the world, the silly and sappy wedding speeches were all perfection. I did not cry by the way, but I did hear some sniffling in the theater.

Of course Isle Esme was as beautiful as I imagined in my mind, though the white room wasn’t as white as it should have been. The honeymoon went pretty much per the book and I will not go into detail..ahem.

Bella’s pregnancy through the delivery was portrayed quite well. They really made Bella look sick and emaciated. The house (which I adore) was a big part of this movie as they spent a long time in it. It is not set up how I imagine it in the book and my mind kept thinking the rooms could have been more dramatic and kept the family closer, but that’s just my mind playing tricks I guess.

Edward looks better in this movie than the other three. All of the vampires have lost some of the ultra-heavy makeup and don’t have that startled look they once had. For those of you that don’t know me, I am Team Edward, but the book Edward, not the movie Edward (sorry Robert Pattison, but you will always be more of a Cedric Diggory than an Edward Cullin). In the movie I find Edward to be more human than ever. His character has grown and he seems less demanding than the first few books/movies. He seems to be more angry at Bella than himself in the movie, while in the books he is angry more at himself and what he has allowed to happen.

Jacob. Poor, dear Jacob. The film did well with portraying the book Jacob. The wolves were more involved in the movie than ever and it was done well. I won’t go into details but there was some changes from the book, but they were done to make the movie more action packed and the changes didn’t bother me.

I adored this movie. It made me happy. Yes. I know it seems lame to some, but oh well! Some people watch reality/tabloid TV and I enjoy sparkling vampires…life goes on for all of us!

I will give you Hubby’s review. Hubby has seen all the movies now, just because he kinda likes me ;) He didn’t like this one as much because he said it there was too much time in the house and not as much action. Then there was the imprinting part… he laughed. Out loud. In the theater. I think if there was any chance he would ever enjoy the series, it was lost at that moment. He doesn’t get it!

There is more blood and gore this time around, not horrible, but enough to warn you!

Go and see if you are so inclined and tell me how you liked it!

Photo

Archery…Just Call Me Katniss

A Mom's Job, Books I Have Read, It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time, Sports, Stuff 4 Responses »

Sep 122011

I have found my sport. I may be 36 years old and non-athletic, but archery is for me I tell you. I like it. It is fun. It does have some competitiveness if you like that sort of thing (which I don’t -why can’t we all just win?!) but it’s not all about the competition. I must add that I have only done it twice, but I’m telling you that I love it. I became an instruction simply so my Girl Scouts would have a local opportunity to do some archery, but it turns out I really like it.

I may go professional.

Okay, maybe not but the fact that I like participating in a sport is pretty mind-blowing in itself and requires some ahhhs from the people!

Does anyone know of local archery resources for me and my girls?

If you don’t get the Katniss reference you need to go read The Hunger Games series, quickly. It rocks just like archery.

Art by Budotty

I Danced The Night Away With Def Leppard

daddy, Entertainment, Mom's Free Time No Responses »

Aug 302011

My Dad and I

So dance might not be the best word. More like jumped, shook around and twirled a bit with Def Leppard. My dad and I went and saw Heart and Def Leppard a week ago. This was my third Def Leppard concert and they keep getting better!

Heart was amazing. Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about watching them. I figured we would miss part of the act due to traffic. We arrived in record time and saw the entire Heart set. I was so pleased we did. They were awesome. I didn’t realize how many Heart songs I recognized. Ann Wilson’s voice was incredibly strong. Nancy Wilson was doing a high kick while headbanging and playing the guitar like a 20 year old and she is 57. Fun and inspiring.

Of course my Sheffield boys were the highlight of my night. Their show is all about the music with very little ego. They played all my favorites like Rocket, Hysteria and of course Pour Some Sugar On Me. My favorite live songs from them are Rock On and Photograph.

We were in the fifteenth row and when the guys were on the catwalk they were so close my dad said it was like having them in your own living room and that is just how it felt.

I asked for help on what to wear to the concert on Facebook: a favorite summer dress or normal concert wear of jeans and a tee. As it was supposed to rain I went with the jeans. I did wear big silver hoop earrings, the biggest I have worn in decades and my hair was big as well (big for me). I wish I had worn the dress though. I’m sure if I had worn the dress I would have stood out to the guys and they would have invited me on stage to serenade me with Love Bites. I’m positive that would have happened so next time I will wear a dress.

It was fun. I hope they tour again next year. And the next year. And the next year.

Chuck E. Cheese Tickets

BlogHer11, It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time, Summer Fun 1 Response »

Aug 142011

Last week at BlogHer11 (yes, I am still talking about my trip!) I got to do the coolest thing. Well, I got to do a lot of cool things, but one of the best was getting to go in the Chuck E. Cheese Ticket Blaster! It is a lot harder than it looks and I only got about 15 tickets during my time in the blaster.

Very classy I know!

Now I must fill you in that I LOVE CHUCK E. CHEESE. Always have, most likely always will. I don’t know why really, but I do love taking the girls and watching them grow up through the games. Watching Elle having to be held on the helicopter while I pedal to make it fly to seeing her do it on her own just makes me burst with love and pride (cheesy, but true…the illustration and the pun.) So getting to go in the Ticket Blaster when it was not even my birthday was awesome!

I also got to try out the new picture machine. Gone are the black and white paper pictures of child and Chuck E. There are suave and sophisticated cards that identify me as a Hip Hop Dancer. They must have seen me bust-a-move at Sparklecorn.

An hour or so after my amazing blasting experience we were walking back to our room I glanced down. There was a Chuck E. Cheese ticket in between my bosoms. I had never thought to use them as a storage space! Okay, I have thrown my cell in a few times when I need two hands, but never had I used them for tickets. A great idea I must remember the next time I go play me some Skee-Ball.

Then later Julia found one by the toilet…I guess those tickets can hide just about anywhere!

Gotta love the Chuck man and his tickets.

Not actual ticket mentioned in the story.

: I like the B&W grainy look here.

See Mandy Run Some More

It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time, Summer Fun No Responses »

Jul 112011

I’m half way through my experience with the Couch to 5K running program I mentioned a few weeks ago. I cannot believe it either. I am now running 16 out of 30 minutes, no consecutavly, but still 16 minutes. Unbelievable. I feel great! So far no painful side “stitch”, shin splints or anything else. My back is sore, but there is only so much sports bra can do! (TMI I know).

New shoes made a world of good happen to my feet. I also am running with Hubby when we can both find the time together, and it is good to have time with him. He wants to find a 5K to run in September. I could be ready by then. The kids occationally come and watch, make a few comments on how slow I am and then get bored quickly.

The funny thing is that I am proud of this, but still hesitant to say I actually like to run. It’s almost as if once it is said, I will have to always like it. Funny me I know.

Also…Does anyone know of a podcast for the Couch 2 5K program using Def Leppard songs? This one I’m using is from the UK and it’s getting a bit boring. I need some guitar when I run!

Don’t forget to enter my contest!

An Easy Way To Give

All you need is love!, Mom's Free Time No Responses »

Jun 242011

I read just yesterday in the Columbus Dispatch that after two years charitable donations have gone up since the recession hit. This is good news for non-profits and good new for everyone really. Giving is a simple way of saying thanks for the life that we have and the blessings we have shared.

I like to give. I like to give time and money, resources that are not always easy to come by but are important to make the world go round. As I have gotten older I have become more judicious with my giving. I investigate the place my money is going to and such, but I still give. I wish I could give more money and time to places that need it and causes that touch my heart.

The other day I read a blog from a girl dying from Leukemia. She started a bucket-list blog and is asking people all over the world to get on the registry to donate bone marrow. I swabbed my bone marrow this morning and popped it in the mail. The organization (DKMS) asked for a t$65 donation to cover the cost of processing, but they would take a donation of any amount or none at all. I didn’t have an extra $65 bucks this week, but I did have my GiveBack account.

GiveBack.org is a site I signed up on last year. It is a site you can shop through and get a percentage of your purchase back in to your GiveBack account. Then you can donate the money to any registered charity. Simply. Easy. Fun even. I have shopped on Shopathome.com and through Upromise before to get the rebate back, but I really like the twist with GiveBack.org. It helps me give, easily, even anonymously if I wish and the feeling I get with giving back is much bigger and longer lasting than a $20 check I can get every few months.

The account adds up quickly, as I like to shop online. Check it out! Have fun and find your charities you like to donate to. Right now GiveBack.org is celebrating giving with 100 days of giving. Someone can win big money to give away to a charity close to their heart!

(Disclosure: Thanks to the One2One network for reminding me about the 100 days of giving with GiveBack.org!)

See Mandy Run

It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time 2 Responses »

Jun 092011

I ran tonight.

For the first time in a long time. For the first time since eighth grade cross-country.

Well, that is not exactly true. I ran once when I was pregnant with Meg. I was about 24 weeks along and it was a 100 yard dash to the car as I had just received a call telling me that my father in law had collapsed. I also raced Meg in a short sprint in 2005. Then there was the race with the girls at Disney in January 2010. So, it has been awhile.

Last August at BlogHer I told Jenna (aka FireMom) that I would run a 5K with her the following summer. It is now June, so I got started.

I uploaded week one from Couch 2 5k (Google it or go to iTunes) and did my first one tonight. I ran at the local track with Meg and Mita. They were ordered not to laugh, but I think they did anyway. I felt good while running until I noticed my silhouette. It was bad. I really couldn’t believe that was what I looked like running. It was like watching my grandma run and I wasn’t going nearly as fast as I thought I was. Oh well. It was my first time.

My muscles are pinging right now. I think I am going to take an ibuprofen before bed and hope for the best.

I’ll let you know how my progress is!

Photo Credit

My Dad Rocks

It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time, Stuff 2 Responses »

Apr 282011

My Dad rocks. Literally. He is a rock and roll dad. He took me to my first concert when I was 13. It was Ozzy Osbourne (post-chicken-head-eating-days), White Lion and some other band I don’t remember. He took me and my BFF Lisa. He convinced Lisa that he had OZZY written over his chest and was going to take off his shirt! We immediately ditched him once we arrived and ended up back stage to meet the guys of White Lion and Zake Wilde from Ozzy’s band. For those of you who don’t remember White Lion here is a picture of Mike Tramp, the love of my life that day.

: He still makes me giggle!

The pictures I had of us together were destroyed in a flood (no, really) and I only have my memories to prove it. I was so nervous I could only smile and act like a dork. No worries about back stage shenanigans with me, the quiet scary-grin-like-a-stalker-girl-with-frizzy-hair!

Once the concert started we found my dad, told him we went back stage (I can now only imagine the heart dive he must have felt upon hearing that news!) and then we ditched him again. We made our way closer to see the band. In the days before 9-11 concerts were so much easier. Our car broke down on the LA free way that night. A very long night for my dad indeed!

Fast forward to my 27th birthday. He took me, Hubby and my mom to see Aerosmith. 8th row. That concert changed my concert way of life forever. I can now no longer sit on the lawn or in the 50th row. I have to see the old guys up close. So I can giggle. I really do giggle at concerts as well as sing and dance.

For my 30th birthday he took me to see my favorite band. Def Leppard. 11th row. I rocked it. The lady behind me complimented me after the concert on how I was able to dance the entire set without a break! I kept creeping down to the stage and getting bounced back up to my seat. During Pour Some Sugar on Me I couldn’t contain myself. I went down to the stage, close and my dad followed me with his phone. He held it like a camera phone and pretended to take pictures of me and kept telling the bouncer (a really nice lady just doing her job) that it was my birthday. She let me stay for the rest of the song. After the concert I shock her hand and appologised for making her job harder. She laughed and said I was fine. I didn’t feel as bad after that. I’m a goodie-too-shoes rocker like that. I don’t get drunk either…weird I know.

Well, once again Dad has done it. We are going to see Def Leppard in August for my birthday. He got VIP tickets so we are guaranteed to be in the first 20 rows. I’m praying for rows 5-15, but we will see! I just love my old rock and roll guys. The bands and my Dad!

Thanks Daddy!

I had this full poster in my room. The color on the lips of all the guys was worn off! Shhh. Don't tell my girls!

Traveling Habits

It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time No Responses »

Mar 152011

As I mentioned in my last post, I like to travel alone sometimes. I should say that I like to travel with just my husband, but we rarely travel alone, our last childless flight was in 2002.

At the airport, I make my way through the lines and security like a pro, taking off my shoes, not causing the beeper to beep. I will confess a secret of mine…I like security. Of course I don’t like massive lines that sometimes occur with security checks, but I like knowing that we are all being checked. We are all on a level playing field with our shoeless, belt-less outfits. I was miffed that I didn’t get the full-body scan everyone complains about. I really wanted to see my scan. It turns out that on the way back from Vegas I did get scanned and they don’t show you the scan (or at least I didn’t know where to look if they did). I so wanted to see what I looked like.

Everything is packed in my carry-on the way I need it to be packed. I only need a book, some gum and a snack and I am all set for a flight of several hours. I can set and read without interruption. My years as a hospital nurse have given me sufficient bladder training and I’m not up and down all the time to the lavatory.

I people watch between chapters sometimes. I marvel at moms and dads with kids, grandparents going to see their grand-kids. I say a silent prayer for the moms with babies as I know how stressful it is to have the crying baby on board (been there, done that!) I ignore the obnoxious travelers who like to talk loud and act as if they know everything about everything and want people to hear how amazing they think they are. I seem to attract these people as they are always around me. I don’t engage them or chatter with them to be polite. I also don’t tell them that they are a big blow-hard as that would be rude. When I am old, I may be able to say such things, but not now!

I always listen to the safety speech. I’m a bit of a safety nut as you may have guessed. As a child I saw a made for TV movie about a plane crash. They has a scene where the flight attendants were giving the safety speech and no-one was paying attention at what to do. I promised my 8-year-old self that I would always listen to the safety stuff, so I do some twenty-odd years later!

During lay-overs I find a sit down restaurant and order a meal and read. It is a bit more expensive, but so worth the comfort after a cramped flight.

I don’t mind going hours without talking to someone or feel the need to converse with everyone around me. We all have things to do plans that are made. My plans aren’t more or less important than the person’s beside me so I don’t feel the need to tell my neighbor all about my upcoming journey. A polite hello is all that is needed.

When I am traveling alone on a plane, it is like a mini-vacation within a vacation. A time to be alone with my book and with my thoughts.

(On this particular trip I finished the Millennium series. I suggest this trilogy to people who love to get to know characters well and like a bit of a mystery. Very good!)

Ready For Vegas Baby!

It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time, Stuff 1 Response »

Feb 072011

At the end of the month I am flying out to Las Vegas to meet an old, dear friend. She is about three months older than me so maybe I shouldn’t say old! We have been friends since the seventh grade when we ran cross-country together. She still runs. I haven’t run since 2006 and then it was an impromptu race with a six year old (it didn’t turn out well). Anyway… Said friend and I try and see each other once a year and this year we decided to have a child-free get away. Las Vegas just seemed easy as we both have been there before, neither of us have gambling problems and there is a lot to do!

We know about the museams the cupcakery and the shows. We are sad that the pool is still closed because it is still cold (to cold for a pool, but nice for us frozen tundra people), but plan on walking a lot and just chilling. I hope to find an Ethopian resteraunt to eat in as well.

What I am asking you all is for tips on things that we should not miss! Any ideas, any secret places in Vegas that are fun that we might not know about? I should clarify that we are still wholesome mommies and wives and have no plans on changing that status!

Artwork

Organizing Update

A Mom's Job, It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time 2 Responses »

Jan 242011

Updating you all on my all-important New Years goal I talked about in late December. I know you are all on pins and needles to see if Mandy is organized yet!

Well, I have done well, thankfully. While the house isn’t perfect just the few things I have done has made my day to day life easier. So what have I done?

I have arranged my living room space (a book shelf and cabinet) to be split up into categories: Fun learning stuff for the kids, Adoption books, Lactation books and camera stuff. This used to be my “throw it all in the cabinet and close the door” place. I was able to empty a basket of books from the basement and organize them in this area, which was so nice as I had forgotten about some of the books I had!

My two cubby-holes at the desk were cleaned out and now are organized with file folders: Things that need filed forever, Girl Scout to-do things, Short-term projects and my to-do folder. My organizational book is also kept here so I don’t loose it!

In the kitchen I have cleared out the medicine/vitamin shelf and it looks good now, like a nurse lives here! I have a great little white tub with a handle for the daily vitamins that I sit on the table every morning. The cold/fever/benadryl/first aid medicines are all labeled in narrow containers so that it is easy to locate what I need. The pet medications are also labeled and if I take off to Puerto Rico to live, Hubby will be able to medicate the children. Just kidding, I would take him with me if I were running away!

The book I got suggested using a weekly calendar. I am more of a monthly calendar kinda gal, but I tried the weekly one and I love it! I think that looking at the big monthly picture was to overwhelming and I missed the little things as well as worried about he bigger things. Now I refer to the monthly calendar when filling out my week or jotting down appointments, but daily I am looking at the weekly calendar. The nightly menus are written on the sides, so I will remember what I planned to make. I also have categorized my to-do list. A- Things that need done now B- are more like weekly projects and C- Projects that I need to work little by little on. This keeps me on track.

I have also started writing out my cleaning goals at the beginning of the week and each week am adding a chore that needs done every once in a while, but I tend to forget (cleaning the trash cans or washing the door jams). I am actually keeping up with it all and not being so hard on myself when plans change.

After just a few weeks of my new routine and I can really tell a difference in my day to day life, my organization and not feeling so overwhelmed. I still have a long way to go with getting the house organized, but I feel really good with my general direction. I actually am looking forward to getting my kitchen more organized…something must be wrong with me!

My Book Challenges of 2011

Adoption, It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time, Reading Challenge 6 Responses »

Jan 032011

I love to read. You all know that. I am almost always out of books due to my lack of library trips and my ability to read super fast (a curse really). I have also never done a reading challenge, but they look like fun… so this year I thought that participating in a challenge (or two) might keep me up on the books while being fun getting to meet other bloggers and readers alike.

The first challenge I am doing it being hosted by Firemom over at The Chronicles Of Munchkin Land. The theme is adoption. I have decided to participate in level two, which consists of 3 fiction/3 non-fiction books about adoption. All people in the adoption triad (birthparents, adoptive parents and adoptees) are encouraged to participate and of course anyone who is not in the adoption world is more than welcome to join up as well. I decided to do this challenge because 1)Firemom is my friend 2) I am an adoptive mom who realizes that adoption is a process. I need to keep learning so we can all grow together 3) I’ve stayed away from adoption books/mags/stories for a while because I was tired of talking/reading about it. I was on adoption overload. I do realize that it is time to start learning again.

The second challenge is to read the classics. I get on a classic kick every once in a while as I feel a bit under-educated on the subject. I normally read one or two and forget my goals. When I found a classic reading challenge over at The Deranged Book Lovers Blog I was very excited. This should keep me on track. My first pick is a salute to my Twilight obsession, I am reading Dracula!

I have even assigned book topics to my new organization calendar (see New Year’s Resolutions post) so that I will rotate themes and stay on track. I’m so amazing and organized this first week in January. It is sure to last. Really. I mean it this time. It will happen. I will become a maven of organizational skills and techniques. I am now rambling about my daydreams.

So there are my book goals for 2011. I am sure to continue to read the literary fluff that entertains me so (easy reading is such a stress reliever.) I ‘m also going to keep track of all of the books I read in 2011. I’ve never done it before but I was inspired by momoutnumbered.

Do you have any reading goals for the year? If not, look around the web and you may just find one that suits you.

Happy Birthday Scholastic!

A Mom's Job, Mom's Free Time 1 Response »

Oct 212010

I am a reader and have been ever since I was a little Mandy. I can remember rushing through my school work or test so I could get back to my book. One time, in the fifth grade, I started reading during the fifteen minute silent reading after lunch and I suddenly looked up and everyone was doing math. I missed the teacher telling everyone to get out the math books, I hadn’t heard a thing. I was worried I would get in trouble, but now I’d like to think the the teacher appreciated me for being so into reading and that she just let me be.

If I go to long without a book I feel anxious, like a desperate junkie looking for a fix. I re-read books if there is nothing new. I read favorite passages while in the tub, just to have something to read. I fantasize about buying everything at Borders and half.com gives me chills (I mean how much money have I saved there!). I spend a lot of money on book orders, as do my girls. We just love books in this house and I am so grateful that my kids are showing signs of becoming avid readers and being read to.

The library is my place of calm, as long as my children are not with me. I cannot browse books when my kids are with me, they are a distraction. Now that Elle is in school I can go the library and just look and look…ahhhhh.

When I meet a non-reader I am amazed. It is hard for me to imagine never reading a novel, or a biography. I often wonder what people do in there spare time, but maybe that is how people seem to watch so much TV.

Scholastic is one of my favorite companies. They are turning 90 years old today! When I was at BlogHer10 in New York I was able to go to the Scholastic Breakfast they had for bloggers. While I had always been a fan of Scholastic, attending this breakfast and seeing the commitment to their mission of getting books to kids really made me a life-time lover of all things Scholastic!

Check out some great sites from Scholastic:

On Our Minds @ Scholastic Blog

Scholastic’s Global Literacy Campaign

Twitter

Facebook

Scholastic.com

I want to encourage all parents and grandparents to read a book to a child in your life this weekend. The love of reading is a gift that keeps on giving!

(Disclaimer: I wrote this piece in celebration of Scholastic’s birthday, I was not asked to write this or given any compensation. I did attend an event hosted by Scholastic in August and recieved books at that time. )

Coffeeing

It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time 2 Responses »

Sep 022010

It is coffee time! Every week for the last three years I have had coffee with friends at our local coffee place. The coffee shop itself has changed a bit with different owners and décor but we are the same. Week in and out during the school year. Sometimes there are four of us with several kids and sometimes it is four of us with no kids (wow!), or maybe only two of us can manage it one week. Heck, we can go weeks without seeing a member of the coffee club and pick up again like we didn’t miss a thing.

The coffee is good. Actually I drink the Chai or a latte of some flavor (hubby calls this dessert in a cup). I sometimes purchase a scone with my drink as well and nibble for hours while talking away. Actually I inhale my scone, but nibble sounds dainty and cute!

The friends are the best. We talk about everything and we talk about nothing. We share our struggles, triumphs, sell AVON and buy Girl Scout cookies.

We always try to get together will all the kids during the summer. Ten kids mind you and an eleventh is on the way (NOT MINE!). It doesn’t happen as often as we would like though. I think our weekly coffees during the school year are here to stay though and it has made my life so much better and fuller and fun!

Thank you my coffee friends @FireMom @OutnumberedMom and Nicole and a shout out to our new coffee friend @3princessmama. Here is to the 2010-2011 school year. May there be less snow days and more coffee!

Art Credit

NYC Was Fab!

BlogHer 2010, It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time, Summer Fun 4 Responses »

Aug 092010

My Peace Out sign for the girls in the back of a cab!

I am back. Back from the weekend trip I have been planning for months. I must say that BlogHer10 in New York City was fabulous, wonderful and all the other great adjectives I cannot remember right now!

Some of the sessions I went to focused on writing, giving advice and loving the little blog. Inspiration was oozing out of everyone there and I feel like I have been to a pep-rally!

Touring New York on the night bus was spectacular. The lights, city noise and smells are always fun. Mom Outnumbered and I caught a John Legend performance in Central Park with Good Morning America at the spur of the moment. The best moments tend to be surprises!

My visit to the Scholastic Headquarters was the highlight of my trip (which is saying something as the whole weekend was amazing). We had breakfast on the top floor, which had more of a restaurant look than an office building look, overlooking Soho. The speakers were very inspirational about getting kids to read. I’ll write more in the future about the new books coming out with Scholastic, but I will say that Mita is already devouring the new Babysitters Club prequel!

As you know Chevy gave us (FireMom, MomOutnumbered, 2princessmama) a brand new Traverse to drive to New York! We had a great time figuring out (and not figuring out) the gadgets in the car and playing with the On-Star.

Having friends and having the fun time we had was such a welcome experience for this stressed-out-mama. I encourage anyone who is tempted to start blog writing to do so! It is an amazing way to meet new people and make new opportunities. My site is hosted by Surpass Hosting and here is a link to find out about a bargain to get you started with blogging.

BlogHer11 San Diego here I come!

(Disclaimer: The book link above is not an affiliate link. I did receive free childrens’ books at a breakfast hosted by Scholastic, Surpass Hosting provided gas money for our road trip. Chevy provided a Traverse for our drive to and from NYC and one tank of gas. Thanks to all of you for great products and great fun! )

Photo Credit Mandy W 2010

On My Way to BlogHer 2010

BlogHer 2010, Entertainment, Healthy Choice, It's all about me!, Mom's Free Time 1 Response »

Aug 042010

Late tonight I will be on my way to New York City with friends for a busy and fun filled weekend. We are going to BlogHer 2010!

BlogHer 2010 is a conference for bloggers put on by BlogHer. This is my first time attending and as you may tell, I am a bit excited over it! The BlogHer website is a great one to read blog post by others all around the country, the world really. There are contests (I won $100 a couple months ago) and many thought-provoking posts as well as light-hearted ones to make you laugh.

The conference offers several different sessions on how to set up and write your blog as well as improveing your content and getting a following. I am looking forward to these sessions, but I do have to admit that the parties and gatherings is what I am excited about. On Saturday I get to have breakfast at the Scholastic offices and there is an HP party that should be a lot of fun. As a participant of Better For BlogHer I will get to meet with the Healthy Choice people and speak with a nutritionist.

Did I mention that we got chosen to drive a new Chevy Traverse to New York? Yes! We get a free rental with On-Star use and a navigator (I am a little nervous about driving in downtown NYC) to help us find our way. We will be tweeting about our trip along the way.

A few days with friends in the big city. A perfect summer break for mom right before the crazy get ready for school time begins. Yes, you read me right. School is starting in a few weeks. That means buying of the school supplies and making sure my kids have tennis shoes that still fit is about to rock my world. I’ll take another month of summer please!

My Mini-Vacation

Friendship, Mom's Free Time 2 Responses »

Mar 082010

Looking Grand in Pink at Devil's Backbone!

My dad gave me a great gift this month -his credits for a flight! I immediately knew I would go see my best friend Lisa in Colorado.

In our house Lisa is known at Aunt-Lisa-from-Colorado. She used to be Aunt-Lisa-from-California. We use these names so we don’t get confused with Aunt-Lisa-who-is-married-to-Uncle-Jack (or now know more often as Aunt-Lisa-Nate-Isaac-and-Ali’s-mom).

Anyway…Aunt-Lisa-From-Colorado is my best friend from the seventh grade. We met on a cross-country team (yes, I used to run ;)) and have been friends ever since. We have seen each-other almost every year since my move from California to Ohio in high school. We have made it to weddings and baby-showers. We have changed a lot, yet we still remain friends. Our friendship has even survived my voting for Obama in the last election!

We are now moms as well as adoptive moms. We parent differently, yet appreciate each other’s ways. We may go months without talking and then just pick up the conversation. Seeing her again is as easy as breathing. Calling her a friend has been a privilege. She is a great mom, wife, teacher and friend and her stories keep me laughing.

Thank you for a great weekend Lisa! Thank you Daddy for giving me the opportunity to visit her and thank you Mom and Jackie for helping Hubby out with the kids! Hubby, you are the best and I so appreciate you.

Lisa and I at an Ethiopian place in Boulder.

A picture of us from when we were skinny and digital cameras weren't as great!

Good times!

New Moon At Midnight…

Mom's Free Time 1 Response »

Nov 202009

The Book, the ticket, the calendars I bought on Etsy ...not a fanatic I swear!

Last night I was one of thousands (millions?) who went to see New Moon, the second installment of the Twilight Saga for those not in the know. It was fun to be with friends (FireMom and @Outnumberedmom) and family (mom and two aunties) and maybe not so fun to be around others, but we dealt with it.

The only negative thing I have to say is that I got motion sick a few times since we HAD TO SIT IN THE THIRD ROW. That is the third row from the screen, not the back. I’m a back isle, center person myself, but was not going to complain. I just have a good reason to go see the movie again since my eyes were closed during certain parts! I am also amazed at how many people have not read the books…they had friends filling them in during the movie as to what was happening! I’m always shocked by non-readers.

I got home around 3:15 A.M. to relieve my sainted mom-in-law from watching my sleeping children. She came over after a long night at work to relieve my first babysitter of the night. This is not the normal for us I promise. Hubby is out of town all week and Meg is in the Wizard of Oz and has a practice or performance every night this week. Last night was the night I was scheduled to help with the munchkins during dress rehearsal. I gave up on the Olive Garden plans I had originally made (Volterra, Italy remember). I made it to the theater at around 11:30, so my friends and family were the people who had to wait in line. I had it easy. Of course we were split up into two theaters and my mom and aunts claimed old age and got special seating arrangements. The nerve of some people! Just kidding mom and thanks for the tickets!

As I was laying in bed falling into sleep mode I couldn’t help but think of reasons why I do such things. Midnight movies are really the last thing I needed this week. Why is it always so important to see the first show (Harry Potter this past summer comes to mind)? I guess I just live for the little moments. The times to look back on and laugh at myself. It is like Christmas shopping on Black Friday when I already have my shopping done…I just like Moments I guess.

So watching New Moon at midnight was worth the two trips to town, paying of the babysitter, calling in my mom-in-law for back up and being tired this morning, afternoon and evening.

Please don’t ask me why I like the Twilight Series so much. Let’s just say that it returns me to my teen days of obsession over hair bands and stars (Johnny Depp comes to mind) and when life all about the Moment!

Me and The Famous FireMom :)

Enjoy the pictures from last night….we were a bit nutty I must say. I had party favors to really make me a Forks Dork!

What Did I Do Alone?

Mom's Free Time No Responses »

Jun 072009

As many of you know, Hubby took all four girls camping. They left on a Thursday morning and are due back this evening. I got a lot of comments about my free time. I kept going on and on about how much I was getting done.

It is true that I accomplished much. I’ve also gone hours without talking, skipped meals without realizing it and watched movies I had been wanting to see thanks to Movies On-Demand (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and The Secret Life of Bees are sooooooo worth watching). My laundry is caught up, I am ready for this coming week’s Girl Scout Day camp. Heck, I even put up my tomato stakes for the tomato plants the kids are growing with my mom! A lot got done, including the shelf-paper I have been wanting to line my pantry and bathroom with.

My mind also became numb. I saw how easy it would be to become a hermit. While I went shopping and had dinner with family, my urge to come home and be alone was strange. Almost like someone had clicked a pause button so I could rest.

I didn’t go in the girl’s rooms. I had planned on giving them a good cleaning, but it was to hard to go in there. It would cause me to think about them and worry. I didn’t need to worry. Hubby is perfectly capable of caring for the kids. The girls do a good job at taking care of themselves for the most part. Plus they are such tattle-tails trouble doesn’t stay a secret for long!

It has been a long year for me as a mom. I sometimes craved being alone so much I felt guilty. Happiness is what I am now feeling, because I do miss them so much. I miss the mess, the noise and the laughing.

In a few short hours they will all come bounding into the house, smelly with dirty clothes and talking all at once with stories of the trip! We will have baths and I’m sure I’ll be watching videos and seeing pictures very soon. My pause button will go back to fast-forward and I will cringe at the dirty laundry. My life will be normal again and I am ever so grateful!

Of course Hubby was dearly missed as well. He is the anchor of my ship called chaos.

???Question Of The Week???

Mom's Free Time, Question Of The Week! 2 Responses »

Jun 052009

What is the longest your kids have ever been away from you?

Hubby and I went on a seven day/six night cruise when Meg was only about three. That was really hard. We had a great time and kept busy and she had fun with the Grandmas. Meg has also done a week long sleep-away camp before.

Today, Hubby took all FOUR girls camping. The house is quiet, I have accomplished much. I am very tired right now and don’t want to go to sleep. It was hard to look at their rooms tonight. When I am away from the kids, it seems pretty easy to stay busy. When THEY are away, well that just has not happened before. At least overnight and all of them at the same time.

I’d love to hear how you all make it through times like these!

Photo Credit

How A Mom Uses Her Spare Time

Mom's Free Time 2 Responses »

Apr 172009

Due to my husband having some outdoor chores to do, I find my self with some free time this weekend. His activities allow him to take the kids (all of them!) . This is exciting news for me. While I adore my kiddos, a few minutes alone is worth celebration.

Just this evening he was off with three of the girls and while another one was at a birthday party. I had two hours alone. I pledged not to clean or do dishes. This is where spare time gets tricky. I have so many ideas on what I can do, that I overwhelm my mind and over-think the simplest of things. Should I watch a movie, read a book. I have so many magizines piled up that I have yet to read…maybe I should listen to music that I enjoy?

I quickly realized that a hot, hot, hot bath was a must. I know I make my bath water way to hot, but I do so love it! I have actually been known to turn up the water heater before a bath, so I can re-fill it with hot water. I know this is not energy friendly, but it is so infrequent I allow myself to do it.

What should I read? I have two books that I cannot seem to get into, so I don’t want to bother with them right now. I pick up two magazines, and head to my bath with a few Girl Scout cookies and the phone (what if they need me?). I soak for a while and try to read the magazines, quickly realizing the mags are way to motivating and have me thinking of what meals to make next week and how to lose some weight. That is not relaxing at all.

After my bath, I slowly get dressed and am amazed by my quiet house. I then look at the clock. I had used a whopping 27 minutes for my bath! What else could I do with all this time? Again, my mind goes through things to do for fun: nap, read,nap, music, nap…then I hear the windchimes. I go outdoors and bask in the late afternoon sun and air. Perfection.

As I get up to go get Mita from her party, I realize that there is no breeze. I look at the still windchimes with wonder. I follow the sounds and realize that the relaxing sound was the Wii in the den. The kids had left it on and that calming waiting sound was playing! Not really a zen moment, but it was my moment.

As moms, we often feel that using our free time is selfish. No wonder most of us are stressed to the max. I really want to work on getting more “me time”. Then maybe I won’t panic when it finally happens and not know what to do. I have another couple of hours alone tommorow before I go to the grocery. I have scheduled a pedicure…we’ll see if it actually happens!

Four Against Two